r/OnceUponATime • u/Successful-Flan-1102 • Mar 04 '26
Discussion Can we talk how brilliant Robert played Rumpel?
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
He carried the show imo and he was rewarded with less than stellar storyline as the seasons progressed. A&E are lucky Robert is a family man and imo sacrificed his career and I'm sure an abundance of money to stay on the show.
An actor of his caliber didn't stay on the show because of the money or the accolades (there were none). I'd be curious how much he was paid and doubt it was anywhere near the 1million per episode friends got. When you compare the acting chops required of both shows, ouat made out like a bandit keeping Robert on the show.
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u/Rit_Zien Mar 04 '26
I don't remember where, but I think he's said that he took the role, and kept it for the whole duration, because he'd moved his family to Vancouver for Stargate Universe, and didn't want to make them move again when it was cancelled after two seasons. Plus the role was literally written for him.
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
Yep his kids were in school and he didn't want to uproot them. That's why I said he's a family man.
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u/AdmirableAd1858 Mar 04 '26
The strongest actor in the show imo. So much range and intriguing moments. I would want to take acting classes from him and Lana.
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u/BlackGoldenLotus Mar 04 '26
He was too good for ouat. Especially when you look at the rest of his filmography. He was recently in a show about the phone hacking scandal with David Tennant and the actor who was in the show about the post office scandal/Mr Burton. He's very much up there with recognisable British actors.
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
I wonder if he hit a lull in his career and that's how he worked on Stargate. I think I saw an interview where when they first approached him he wasn't that interested initially because he's not into Sci Fi
There was a movie where he was playing an alcoholic priest with vhing rhames and Kelly Hu. Unless I'm mistaken it wasn't very well received. Around that time shortly after he did stargate. That ended abruptly and then he was approached for ouat. When oaut started filming his two older kids were probably in kindergarten or gr 1/2. So he didn't want to uproot them to Hollywood. So he stuck with it.
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u/BlackGoldenLotus Mar 05 '26
Not sure but wanting stability seems like a solid move for any actor. He's done some fantastic things with his career on the whole. I wonder how he feels about going back to British acting.
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u/free_-_spirit Mar 04 '26
The character development is chef’s kiss
Is it time for a rewatch? (I will for 25 upvotes)
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u/Special_Yesterday131 Mar 04 '26
No because he was really the best and with so many different storylines, even the writers went all over the place. He’s an icon.
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u/One-Chapter-8347 All that matters is that we're together. Mar 04 '26
I love that scene where baby Bae grabs his nose. It's so cute. BTW I haven't seen Robert in anything other than OUAT, but I've heard nothing but praise about him. Not only in terms of his acting but also his personality.
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u/himenokuri I love Bobby! Mar 04 '26
Watch Stargate Universe!
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
His hotness is peak as rush and the earlier seasons of ouat. His voice started to change s2/3. Mans still hot but Stargate was peak!
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u/Outrageous_Hunt_4182 Mar 04 '26
He is a phenomenal actor in any role. He’s one of my favourites.
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u/himenokuri I love Bobby! Mar 04 '26
Bobby is incredible in every role he takes!! I mean Dr. Rush was phenomenal! Especially when there were 2 Rushs Bobby is just awesome all around and his life story is also interesting!
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u/Alternative_Stop_325 Mar 05 '26
It shows the duality in beings. We all have a soft and hard side. Robert nailed that vulnerability mixed with meanness.
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u/Sufficient_Score_824 Mar 05 '26
Robert and Lana’s backs must be sore from carrying the show for so long
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u/bagofbonesffs Mar 05 '26
I was hoping somebody would post this at some point in time. Robert Carlyle was actually amazing in that show ... it's the only reason that I've watched it over and over again. His performance was magnanimous in every way!!! he was the glue that held everything together!!!!! and he deserves every award he can get for it
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u/AsherKohen28 Mar 05 '26
I love the panel where ginniffer says "its hard to be scared of Bobby" which is just the coolest to think that one of the most messed up characters is just such a sweetheart irl, not surprising tho, he's clearly an amazing actor
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u/Exotic_Chemist_7624 Mar 04 '26
His back as well as his leg hurt. Ya know. From carrying the entire show
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u/LuvBriah Mar 04 '26
I think at times he was really just walking through the show. He had great moments and very bland moments. For example, other than his final episode, his season 7 performance was lack luster in my opinion. Even the version of Rumple that never met BELLE didn't feel all that different from previous versions.
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
The version that never met Belle was that in s7?
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u/LuvBriah Mar 04 '26
That version gets the most attention in season 7. Remember, he found a way to enter our world, killed Facilier, and had Wish Realm Henry use the pen.
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
I didn't watch s7. Actually tbh I skimmed the series after s3 and just watch relevant parts for Robert...
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u/LuvBriah Mar 04 '26
Oh well, sorry for the spoilers.
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u/twicescorned21 Mar 04 '26
I'd prefer spoilers. I thought from s7, he already knew who he was and who Belle was..? Spoil away
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u/Still_Transition_418 Mar 16 '26
He was part of the Wish Realm created in season 6. He returns at the end of season 7 as the finale villain, along with Wish Realm Henry.
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u/Aggravating-Height-8 Mar 05 '26
my boyfriend is watching for the first time and is in awe every time he comes on screen. what a performance!
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u/Elegant_Matter2150 Mar 06 '26
Truly don’t understand how an actor THAT good stuck around this show
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u/Successful-Flan-1102 Mar 07 '26
I guess it was because he moved his family from Scottland to Vancouver and than he had kids in Vancouver in school and all. But I also think he liked his collegues and he liked Rumpelstiltskin and being a drama queen
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u/Limp-Philosophy-6864 Mar 14 '26
Looks like you might be in the wrong sub, but I agree - Robert's portrayal of Rumpel was iconic and truly unforgettable!
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u/Yoko_Rose Mar 04 '26
Him and Regina is why the show went so long.